Hand printer

ABSTRACT

There is shown a hand printer for stenciling, which comprises an inking unit for receiving a stencil, and a table reciprocably supporting said inking unit for stenciling in substantially one extreme position of movement and for storage in the other extrme position of movement. The inking unit includes an ink pad and reservoir disposed beneath the table and an integrated siphon ink flow control squeeze bottle handle providing an ink supply above the table. An operative compression spring maintains the inking unit in rest or storage position, said spring yielding to downward pressure to permit depression thereof for stenciling and returning said unit to storage position after release of such pressure.

[ Mar. 26, 1974 255,116 I/1949 Switzerland... 818,298 6/1937 France...............,....

Primary ExaminerC1yde I. Coughenour Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Rogers, Ezell & Eilers [57] ABSTRACT There is shown a hand printer for stenciling, which comprises an inking unit for receiving a stencil, and a table reciprocably supporting said inking unit for stenciling in substantially one extreme position of movement and for storage in the other extrme position of movement. The inking unit includes an ink pad and reservoir disposed beneath the table and an integrated siphon ink flow control squeeze bottle handle providing an ink supply above the table. An operative compression spring maintains the inking unit in rest or storage position, said spring yielding to downward pressure to permit depression thereof for stenciling and returning said unit to storage position after release of such pressure.

13 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures lOl/333 B4lf 15/00, B4lf 15/38 Inventor: Harold H. Rabelow, Marion, I11. Assignee: The Marsh Stencil Machine Company, Belleville, 111.

Filed: July 13, 1972 Appl. No.: 271,257

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 110,385, Jan. 28, 1971, abandoned.

Int. Cl. Field of Search 101/125, 328, 297, 298, 101/327, 333, 371

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1973 Hammel....................... 6/1939 5/1972 Hamme1..............................

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 86 1915 Great Britain......................

United States Patent [191 Rabelow HAND PRINTER PMENIEHILRZS I974 SHEET 1 BF 2 M A RSI-l CONTAQT MARKING HAND PRINTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application is a continuation-in-part of US. Pat. application Ser. No. 110,385, entitled HAND PRINTER, dated .Ian. 28, 1971, now abandoned.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the stenciling art, and more particularly to a novel hand printer for stenciling.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the stenciling art, there are many patents disclosing devices sometimes called hand printers for employing precut thin stencils in addressing packages, cartons, and the like. However, there has long been the need for a self-contained hand printer, in effect, which handles such thin stencils effectively inkwise, which includes storage means, as a table, for the inking means when not in use, and which can be accurately employed in stenciling operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief, the present novel hand printer comprises a table and an inking unit adapted to receive a thin stencil reciprocably supported thereon for stenciling in substantially one extreme position thereof and for storage or rest in the other extreme position. The inking unit includes an ink pad and reservoir disposed beneath the table and an integrated siphon ink flow control squeeze bottle handle providing an ink supply above the table. An operative compression spring maintains the inking unit in rest or storage position, said spring yielding to down-ward pressure to permit depression thereof for stenciling and returning said unit to storage position after release of such pressure.

In one embodiment of the invention means provide a rocking motion to the inking unit during printing.

Therefore, objects of the present invention are to provide a novel hand printer which incorporates structure providing effective storage of the inking unit when not in use, which includes sturdy and readily usable means permitting stenciling depression of the inking unit and automatic return of the inking unit to rest position, which includes a substantially nonleak siphon controlled ink supply, which can be quickly and easily dismantled for cleaning parts replacement, and the like, and reassembled, which is constructed for long efficient service with minimum repair, which incorporates a counter pressure in the spring action providing a controlled mark or touch upon the carton or object stenciled as opposed to free hand operation heretofore used, which can be effectively employed with minimum instruction, which is adaptable for use with a wide range of stencil sizes, and which otherwise fulfills the objects and advantages sought.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a hand printer incorporating the teachings of the present invention, the movable parts being in rest positions;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view thereof, parts being in vertical cross-section for illustration of details;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof, parts being in section and broken away for illustration of detail;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, showing the inking unit in rest or storage position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical crosssectional view showing in greater detail the central portion of FIG. 4, the inking unit being in stenciling or depressed position;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a small stencil usable with the present hand printer.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of hand printer of another embodiment of this invention, the movable parts shown in the rest or retracted position;

FIG. 8 is a right end elevation view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of FIG. 7 with parts broken away to better illustrate the invention;

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a view in section taken along the line ll-ll of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the table member of the invention, particularly illustrating the flange-surrounded opening formed centrally therein.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 10 indicates generally a stencilreceiving hand printer including the principles of the present invention. Broadly the hand printer [0 comprises a table or cover 12 which supports and guides for reciprocating movement an inking unit 14, the latter operatively receiving a stencil 16.

The table 12 preferably is of smooth metal to aid in maintaining a clean item, although other materials can be employed. The table 12 includes a top panel 18 having a central annular opening 20 defined by an up wardly directed narrow flange 22, opposed depending side skirts 24, and opposed end panels 26 of greater depth than the skirts 24. Two spaced dimples 27 are formed in one side skirt 24 for a purpose alluded to below. The end panels 26 support the table 12.

The inking unit 14 comprises an inverted pan 28 having a bottom panel 30, opposed sides 32, and opposed ends 34. An aperture 36 is provided in the panel 30. Secured to the external face of the panel 30 as by welding or other means, or integral therewith, in position surrounding the aperture 36 is a sleeve 38 of the axial cross-section shown and of an external diameter permitting comfortable insertion thereof through the opening 20 of the table 12. The sleeve 38 includes a smooth internal annular shoulder 40, internal threads 42, and external threads 44. A perforated plate 46 is secured within the pan 28 by welding, adhesive or otherwise, and is spaced from the bottom panel 30 by integral flanges 48, thereby defining with the panel 30 an ink reservoir 50. Disposed in the pan 28 adjacent the perforated plate 46 is a conventional ink pad 52 including resilient ink receiving material 54 and a cloth or the like cover 56, the cover 56 being adhesively or otherwise secured to the sides 32 and ends 34 interiorly thereof. A flexible squeeze bottle handle 58 of ink 60 has an externally threaded neck 62. A cup-like plug 64 of plastic or other suitable material sealingly stoppers the neck 62. A siphon tube 66 of plastic or the like has one end sealingly mounted in an aperture 68 in the cuplike plug 64. The tube 66 preferably includes an accordion-like crimped portion 70 permitting looped disposition in the bottle 58, as illustrated, with the other end thereof within the cup-like plug 64, for substantially complete ink dispensing. The bottle neck 62 threads into the sleeve 38 with the cup 64 in sealing engagement with the internal annular shoulder 40 of the latter, as illustrated. The bottle 58 can be readily removed and replaced when empty or for other purposes. It will be understood that the siphon tube 66 controls flow from the bottle 58 under squeeze pressure applied to the latter. Slight pressure to the bottle 58 dispenses ink 60 into the ink reservoir 50 above the pad 52, the ink 60 reaching the pad 52 through the dispensed openings of the perforated plate 46. The siphon tube 66 substantially prevents dripping of ink, and even with ink thinner than normally used in stenciling, only ink in the short leg of the siphon tube 66 will flow out while standing after use, which will be handled by the ink reservoir 50.

As is clearly shown in the drawings, in assembled rest operative relation, the sleeve 38 extends through the opening with the bottom panel 30 of the inverted pan 28 snugly against the bottom side of the top panel 18 of the table 12. A compression spring 72 about the sleeve 38, having one end abutting the top side of the panel 18 surrounding the flange 22 and the other engaging a knurled nut 74 on the external threads 44 of the sleeve 38, maintains this relationship. Thus, the table, 12 both houses the inverted pan 28 and holds the ink pad 52 in retracted position when not in use. It will be noted that one side 32 of the inverted pan 28 is adjacent the dimples 27, see FIG. 2. The dimples 27 guide the inking unit 14 in use of the hand printer 10 to substantially eliminate rotation of the unit 14, which is objectionable.

To use the hand printer 10, as to address cartons, the stencil 16, which has been previously cut, is placed against the inked cloth cover 56, the ink retaining the stencil 16 in place. The hand printer 10 is selectively disposed against a carton with the edges of the opposed panels 26 engaging a surface thereof in spanning relation to the area to receive the stenciling. Thereupon, the squeeze bottle handle 58 is depressed to move the stencil 16 into engagement with the carton surface to print and is then released, the spring 72 effecting a return of the pad 52 to rest position. This stenciling action may be repeated many times with a single stencil 16, and for the life of the spring 72 for numerous stencils.

In FIGS. 7 through 12 there is shown another embodiment of the invention. A hand printer 80 of this described embodiment comprises a table or cover 82 which supports for reciprocating movement an inking unit 84, the latter operatively receiving a stencil such as the stencil 16 of FIG. 6.

The table 82 is very similar to the table 12 of the previously described embodiment and includes a top panel 86 having a central opening 88. The opening 88 is shaped generally as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 with opposed annular sides 90 between opposed straight sides 92. A narrow flange 95 extends downwardly and slightly outwardly all around the periphery of the opening 88. The table 82 also includes opposed depending side skirts 98 and 10 0 and opposed end panels 102 and 104 of greater depth than the skirts 98 and 100 and having rounded bottom edges 106 and 108, respectively, to form rockers on which the table 82 is supported. The straight sides 92 of the opening 88 are parallel to the end panels 102 and 104.

The inking unit 84 comprises an inverted pan 112 having a bottom panel 114, opposed sides 116, and opposed ends 1 18. The bottom plate 114, instead of being flat, has a depressed center portion for purposes to be described, and an aperture 122 axially aligned with the opening 88 in the table 82. Secured to the external surface of the panel 114, as by welding or other suitable means, and in position surrounding the aperture 122, is a sleeve 124. The external shape and dimensions of the sleeve 124 are best shown in FIG. 11 with the sleeve 124 having opposed curved sides 126 which are complementary with the curved sides 90 of the opening 88, and opposed straight sides 128 which are complementary with the opposed straight sides 92 of the opening 88. The clearances between the straight sides of the opening 88 and the straight sides of the sleeve 124 are relatively small to hold the inking unit 84 in close end alignment. But the clearances between the curved sides 90 of the opening 88 and the sleeve 124 are somewhat greater to allow a tilting motion of the sleeve 124 within the opening 88 and thus allow a rocking motion of the inking unit 84 relative to the table 82.

Internally the lower end of the sleeve 124 is formed in an opening 129 in the annular shoulder 130 against which is sealingly engaged the cup 64 of the bottle handle 58 heretofore described in connection with the first described embodiment. Above the annular shoulder 130 is a lower threaded section 132 above which is an upper threaded section 134 of greater diameter than the lower threaded section.

A perforated plate similar to the plate 46 of the first-described embodiment is secured within the pan 112. The perforated plate 140 has generally the same shape as the bottom panel 114 and is positioned in spaced parallel relationship therewith, to define with the panel 1 12 an ink reservoir 142. Disposed in the pan 1 12 adjacent the perforated plate 140 is a conventional ink pad 144 including resilient ink receiving material 146 and a cloth or the like cover 148, the cover 148 being adhesively or otherwise secured to the sides 116 and ends 1 18 of the pan 1 12. The cloth covered surface of the ink pad 144 is curved generally in the same direction as the rockers 106 and 108 but has a greater radius of curvature than the rockers 106 and 108 for purposes to be described.

A coil spring 152 surrounds the sleeve 124 with its bottom end abutting the top side of .the panel 86 and its top end engaging the under side of a knurled ring 154. The ring 154 has an externally threaded neck portion 156 that engages the upper internal threads 134 of the sleeve 124, the ring 154 being formed at its upper end in an outwardly extending annular shoulder 158 which seats on the upper end of the sleeve 124 when the ring 154 is screwed in place.

The externally threaded neck portion 62 of a flexible squeeze bottle handle 58 of the type of the first described embodiment of this invention, is screwed into the sleeve 124' to engage the lower internal threads 132. The operation of the flexible squeeze bottle handle 58 is identical to that of the first described embodiment.

OPERATION In many respects the printer of this described embodiment operates like that of the first described embodiment. For example, in like manner the squeeze bottle handle 58 can be easily replaced by simply unscrewing its neck from the sleeve 124, and the inking unit 112 can be easily replaced by simply removing the ring 154 and spring 152 thus allowing the sleeve 124 to slip downwardly through the opening 88. The unit can be assembled and disassembled in a matter of seconds and without the use of tools of any kind.

In the assembled rest operative condition, the spring 152 acting against the plate 86 and ring 154 biases the sides of the bottom panel 114 against the bottom of the plate 86 so that the ink pad 144 is held in the retracted position well above the rocker edges 106 and 108.

To use the hand printer 80, as to address cartons, the stencil 16, which has been previously cut, is placed against the inked cloth cover 148, the ink retaining the stencil 16 in place eliminating the need for clamps. The hand printer 80 is selectively disposed against the carton with the rocker edges 106 and 108 engaging a surface thereof in spanning relation to the area to receive the stencilling. Thereupon, by manipulation of the squeeze bottle handle 58, the entire printer 80 is rocked to one side of the rocker surfaces 106 and 108, and then, while depressing the squeeze bottle handle 58 to move a corresponding side of the stencil 16 into engagement with the carton surface to be printed, the entire unit is rocked on the rocker edges 106 and 108 to the opposite side whereupon the squeeze bottle handle 58 is released, the spring 152 effecting a return of the pad 144 to its retracted position. As the printer is operated, not only does the entire printer rock on the rocker edges 106 and 108, but the inking unit 112 also rocks within the table 82 on the curved pad surface 148. Although the straight sides and small clearances therebetween insure that the inking unit will rock along the same path as the table 82 and that the inking unit will maintain its end alignment, the greater clearances between the curved surfaces of the sleeve 124 and opening 88 allow the sleeve 124 to tilt within the opening 88, and hence the ink pad 144 to rock relative to the table 82. This insures proper and uniform contact of the stencil on the surface to be marked. The greater radius of the ink pad relative to the radius of the rocker surfaces 106 and 108 allows the extreme long edges of the pad to contact the surface to be marked with a relatively slight depression of the handle.

Another unique feature of this invention lies in the formation of the reservoir 142 with the center section depressed so that the thickness of the pad 144 is substantially uniform along its curve. This enables the use of a reservoir with a much smaller volumetric capacity than would otherwise be required which in turn prevents overfeeding of ink to the ink pad which has been a problem with prior art hand printers.

Still another feature of this invention is that relatively large stencils can be used with it and yet without the need of any external clamps to hold the stencil in place. This is achieved by the combined gentle curvature of the pad which when saturated with ink provides an adhesive-like holding power to keep the stencil in place. With the prior art units using clamps to hold the stencil in place, the compression of the pad during use tended to wrinkle the stencil. But with this invention the operative rocking motion of the printer tends to iron out the stencil and maintain it wrinkle free. Furthermore, a larger print area is achieved without clamps. For example, it has been found that the rocker-type printer of this invention gives superior results than flat printers for stencils over approximately two inches by four inches.

It is apparent that there has been provided a hand printer for stenciling which fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A hand printer for printing a selected surface comprising a table having outwardly facing convexly curved rocking support surfaces adapted to rest on a surface on which the table may be rocked along a selected path, a printing unit having an outwardly facing convexly curved printing surface, means for mounting the printing unit to the table for reciprocating movement of the printing surface with respect to the curved rocking support between a rest position with the printing surface out of contact with the surface to be printed, and a print position with the printing surface contacting the surface to be printed and with its rocking path parallel to the rocking path of the table.

2. The hand printer of claim 1 comprising means biasing the printing unit in its rest position.

3. The hand printer of claim 1 wherein the mounting means further comprises means for mounting the printing unit to the table for rocking motion of the printing unit relative to the table.

4. The hand printer of claim 1 wherein the printing unit includes an ink pad having the curved printing surface and an ink reservoir above the pad for maintaining an ink supply to the printing surface.

S. A hand printer comprising a table having a top and opposed supporting members, the opposed supporting members having outwardly facing convexly curved rocking support surfaces on which the table is adapted to rest and to rock along a selected path, a printing unit having an outwardly facing convexly curved printing surface, means for mounting the printing unit on the table for reciprocating movement of the printing surface with respect to the curved rocking support between a rest position with the printing surface in spaced relation to a plane through the rocker surfaces of the supporting members in a direction toward the table top, and a print position with the printing surface adjacent the plane through the rocker surfaces.

6. The hand printer of claim 5 wherein the mounting means further comprises means for mounting the printing unit for rocking motion of the printing unit relative to the table along a path parallel to the rocking path of the table.

7. The hand printer of claim 6 wherein the radius of curvature of the printing surface is greater than the radius of curvature of the rocker surfaces.

8. The hand printer of claim 6 comprising means biasing the printing unit in its rest position.

9. The hand printer of claim 6 in which the printing unit includes an operating handle, said handle comprising a flexible squeeze bottle for storing ink.

10. The hand printer of claim 9 wherein the handle further comprises a looped siphon tube operatively disposed in said bottle, a closure for said bottle, the closure having a passage therethrough, one end of the tube being mounted in said passage, the other end of the tube opening into the interior of the bottle adjacent the closure, whereby pressure on the bottle dispenses ink from the bottle through the tube.

11. The hand printer of claim 9 wherein the printing unit includes an ink pad having the curved printing surface and an ink reservoir above the pad, and means communicating the reservoir with the squeeze bottle for maintaining an ink supply to the printing surface.

12. The hand printer of claim wherein the table has an opening in its top and the printing unit has a sleeve 13. The hand printer of claim 12 wherein the clearance between the opening and the sleeve is such as to allow a tilting motion of the sleeve within the opening in a plane parallel to the rocking path of the table, thereby allowing a rocking motion of the printing unit relative to the table. 

1. A hand printer for printing a selected surface comprising a table having outwardly facing convexly curved rocking support surfaces adapted to rest on a surface on which the table may be rocked along a selected path, a printing unit having an outwardly facing convexly curved printing surface, means for mounting the printing unit to the table for reciprocating movement of the printing surface with respect to the curved rocking support between a rest position with the printing surface out of contact with the surface to be printed, and a print position with the printing surface contacting the surface to be printed and with its rocking path parallel to the rocking path of the table.
 2. The hand printer of claim 1 comprising means biasing the printing unit in its rest position.
 3. The hand printer of claim 1 wherein the mounting means further comprises means for mounting the printing unit to the table for rocking motion of the printing unit relative to the table.
 4. The hand printer of claim 1 wherein the printing unit includes an ink pad having the curved printing surface and an ink reservoir above the pad for maintaining an ink supply to the printing surface.
 5. A hand printer comprising a table having a top and opposed supporting members, the opposed supporting members having outwardly facing convexly curved rocking support surfaces on which the table is adapted to rest and to rock along a selected path, a printing unit having an outwardly facing convexly curved printing surface, means for mounting the printing unit on the table for reciprocating movement of the printing surface with respect to the curved rocking support between a rest position with the printing surface in spaced relation to a plane through the rocker surfaces of the supporting members in a direction toward the table top, and a print position with the printing surface adjacent the plane through the rocker surfaces.
 6. The hand printer of claim 5 wherein the mounting means further comprises means for mounting the printing unit for rocking motion of the printing unit relative to the table along a path parallel to the rocking path of the table.
 7. The hand printer of claim 6 wherein the radius of curvature of the printing surface is greater than the radius of curvature of the rocker surfaces.
 8. The hand printer of claim 6 comprising means biasing the printing unit in its rest position.
 9. The hand printer of claim 6 in which the printing unit includes an operating handle, said handle comprising a flexible squeeze bottle for storing ink.
 10. The hand printer of claim 9 wherein the handle further comprises a looped siphon tube operatively disposed in said bottle, a closure for said bottle, the closure having a passage therethrough, one end of the tube being mounted in said passage, the other end of the tube opening into the interior of the bottle adjacent the closure, whereby pressure on the bottle dispenses ink from the bottle through the tube.
 11. The hand printer of claim 9 wherein the printing unit includes an ink pad having the curved printing surface and an ink reservoir above the pad, and means communicating the reservoir with the squeeze bottle for maintaining an ink supply to the printing surface.
 12. The hand printer of claim 5 wherein the table has an opening in its top and the printing unit has a sleeve extending through the opening, the sleeve having means for receiving the neck of the flexible squeeze bottle handle, compression spring means, and means for mounting the compression spring means around the sleeve for biasing the printing unit in its rest position.
 13. The hand printer of claim 12 wherein the clearance between the opening and the sleeve is such as to allow a tilting motion of the sleeve within the opening in a plane parallel to the rocking path of the table, thereby allowing a rocking motion of the printing unit relative to the table. 